Friday, August 24, 2012

Today I saw the movie “Robot & Frank.” It’s about a retired burglar, Frank,
whose children, concerned about his mental health and living alone, gets him a
humanoid robot that is programmed to improve their father’s physical and mental
health. This was a great film
about one example of growing old and the problems that are associated with
aging. It touched upon a couple of
the needs of seniors, specifically, the need for companionship and the need to
be able to do something that they enjoy (although I wouldn’t recommend being a
burglar and a shoplifter as a hobby).

This actually is a good film for this year’s FIRST LEGO
League theme “Senior Solutions.”It’s funny, it’s enlightening about senior issues, and it’s about a
robot!However, please note this is
a PG-13 movie; there is some cursing in it.Perhaps, coaches and 13 and 14 year old FLLers could see
this movie together.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

On Aug. 28, 2012 the release of the 2012 Senior Solutions Challenge will mark the start of the FIRST LEGO League Challenge 2012-13. For all you rookie coaches (and not so rookie coaches), don't panic! There is help. Get your hands on these excellent books:

Sunday, August 12, 2012

My MINDSTORMS NXT-G software (educational & consumer
versions) were working fine on my Mac (Snow Leopard) with Safari and Firefox, then recently the
software stopped loading; there was now an error.So why? Well, it turns out that recently Firefox updated its software,
the new 14.0.1 causes a problem with the NXT-G trying to access the Internet, even if you don’t use Firefox as your Internet browser; Firefox installed on
your computer still causes a problem.

The solution (for now),I uninstalled the Firefox and just use
Safari.Both versions of MINDSTORM
NXT-G are working again.

STEM to STEAM

Not to long ago the U.S. educational system realized it was lagging in the areas of math, and science. So STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math became the new focus in education in an attempt to improve the quality of these subjects, get students interested in these subjects so that we could inspire them to pursue careers in these areas. LEGO Technology and Mindstorms Robotics is a natural tool for teaching STEM.

Now there is a new movement emerging STEM + ART (and DESIGN) = STEAM. Well, you might be saying, “Oh no, not another buzz word.” However, if you think about, Art and Design can be found in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Art and Design can actually help improve on our innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math in our quest to improve the quality of life and our future existence.

And of course, LEGO Technology, Mindstorms Robotics, and littleBits definitely fits in the STEAM objectives.

Learning Code

Inclusion!

Helping an urban community to learn technology!

This non-profit organization was created by one of my former middle school students & FIRST LEGO League team member of the Cyberbots.

Brics~2~Bots Curriculum

Why Brics~2~Bots?

It’s a challenge, it’s hands-on, it’s learning in action. John Dewey set forth the theory that we learn better by doing - we take the knowledge and apply it by building. With LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & MINDSTORMS/TETRIX Robotics Engineering students learn by designing, building, & coding. The benefits of such a curriculum goes beyond the science concepts that can be learned, the math theories that can be explained, and literacy skills that are practiced through communication between students, reflective journals and design worksheets; students express their creativity & learn to problem solve together to reach a goal - creating and inventing “cool devices” capable of awesome tasks. LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & Robotics Engineering (Brics~2~Bots) are great for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design, Math) program, because it touches on all these subjects.

To see some of the projects by students at Brics~2~Bots, type in "B2B Lab" in the Search This Blog in the sidebar.

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About Me

I have been involved with LEGO® & robotics since 2002. I was the coach of NYC-FLL championship teams: Techno-Eagles, roboGbots, NYCityzens, Dragonbotz, Vulcabotz, Optibotz & The Cyberbots (FLL & FTC). Currently, I am a part-time robotics consultant who sets up LEGO Technology & robotics programs, conducts NXT & EV3 robotics workshops for schools & various organizations (AMNH). I am the Director/Instructor of Brics~2~Bots; a mini LEGO center that supports the S.T.E.A.M. initiative providing individual & small group instruction to children, gifted to special needs. Training & mentoring for new FLL coaches is also available. I am un-shamefully an AFOLAR - Adult Fan Of LEGO And Robotics! ;-)